Modernize GI Bill Payment

2008 was a landmark year for the post-9/11 generation. After years of tireless advocacy by IAVA and others, the Post-9/11 GI Bill was passed into law. With it, millions of veterans and their dependents had the doors to higher education opened for them. After deploying for years to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other conflict areas, Congress and the American people agreed that these warriors had earned the right to a degree.

In IAVA’s latest member survey, 75% of IAVA members reported having used, currently using, or transferring their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit. And 87% agree the Post-9/11 GI Bill is important to military recruitment and 87% believe it is extremely or very important to transition to civilian life.

Since its inception, the Post-9/11 GI Bill has faced threats of funding cuts and abuse, which is why IAVA continues to #DefendTheGIBill. However, it has also seen unprecedented expansion. In 2017, IAVA worked with VSO partners to pass the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act, which included numerous expansions for the GI Bill, including elimination of the 15-year time limit to use the benefit.

We must continue to hold the line in defending these essential, earned benefits that are a cost of war.

Over one million veterans and their dependents have used the Post-9/11 GI Bill, relying on VA tuition and housing assistance to pay for schooling. However, that system is outdated and over-capacity to serve the hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries that rely on its services every year. Ensuring that VBA has the most up-to-date technology and systems will ensure faster and more efficient processing and issuing of payments.

The failure of the technology side of VBA can cause massive headaches and financial strife among beneficiaries. In November 2018, VA failed to implement technology upgrades necessary under the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act and thousands of veterans were left with inaccurate and late GI Bill payments. This cannot be the norm. We must invest in VBA’s infrastructure to ensure that GI Bill benefits are on time and correct for the many that rely on this earned benefit.

• Continue to modernize GI Bill payment infrastructure to handle and process claims faster
• Ensure proper funding, support, and oversight for IT overhaul to support new advancements and requirements for GI Bill payments
• Expand online services and options for student veterans to apply, access, and troubleshoot issues online through va.gov
• Support the expansion of online tools and innovative technology that allows student veterans to be informed on their school’s practices, reputation, and support services for veterans